The Army Reserve, the new name for the Territorial Army, will play an increasingly important role in supporting our armed forces in the years ahead. There is currently a recruitment drive that will see the Army Reserve double in size from 15,000 to 30,000. For many soldiers leaving the army, including former Gurkhas, joining the reserve is a way of continuing to be part of military life, whilst also pursuing new opportunities in the civilian world. The Army Reserve is however open to all, and there are many people who give their time in the evenings or weekends, and at a special training camps, to be part of it.
Last Sunday I joined the Defence Minister, Lord Astor, to meet members of the Royal Engineers Reserve force, who were taking part in training exercises at the Ministry of Defence ranges at Lydd. As well as practise at the firing ranges, the reserves were engaged in training for detecting and defusing landmines, and providing medical assistance in the field. Members of the reserves are required to commit up to 27 training days a year, depending on their role, as well as to a two week annual camp, and receive pay for their time given.
The Royal Engineers have a long history in Kent and for members of the reserve force based in the county, Lydd is an ideal training base. The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, our local infantry regiment, also recruits from Kent, Surrey, Sussex and London, and of its three battalions, two are regular and one is a reserve force. If you would like to find out more about the reserves, you can do so on the army’s website www.army.mod.uk
This week we are starting work receiving oral evidence in our parliamentary inquiry into Gurkha Welfare. This includes evidence sessions where former Gurkhas will be able to set out their grievances in person to parliament. The equal rights for Gurkhas to settle in the UK after they complete their service in the British armed forces has been secured, but we need to make sure they are all also treated fairly in their retirement; in particular that older retired Gurkhas should receive an equivalent level of pension to their former British comrades. The Government will give its response at the end of the inquiry, which will be completed by the summer. With the centenary to the outbreak of the First World War approaching, this would be an appropriate time to settle outstanding issues relating to Gurkhas welfare, in recognition of the service that they, and soldiers from right around the world, have given over the years in support of Britain.
On Monday, I hosted a lunch at the House of Commons for the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA). This annual event brings together businesses from the important UK tourism industry, with Ministers and MPs. The current Chairman of BALPPA is Bob O’Connor, who is also the Managing Director of Howletts and Port Lympne Wild Animal Parks. They have just started work on a £2 million investment into the accommodation facilities at Port Lympne, which will be ready for the summer, and is excellent news for the future of the estate, and our own local tourism offer.